vintage bamboo fly rods

Vintage Bamboo Fly Rod Values

It’s a common misconception that a vintage split-cane fishing rod is worth a lot of money – if you watch the auction rooms in the UK, (eg The Sale Room or Mullocks) there are a lot of cane rods coming onto the market at particular times – bunches of rods from deceased country estates sometimes up to 8 or 10 at a time including very good quality vintage fly and spey rods.

There’s not a strong market for old split-cane rods in Australia unless of a very high quality. There is however quite strong and growing interest in contemporary split-cane fly rods, with a number of fine rod makers producing bamboo fly rods of exceptional quality.

For old rods, very few rod makers will take on a restoration since it is so time consuming.. There are some cane rod restorers in the UK, however the restoration cost can exceed the value of the rod.

One quick way to work out the value for UK made vintage rods is to go on to the web site of Thomas Turner (oldest fishing outlet internationally) and find a similar model and condition using their search function – this will at least give an idea of current value.

https://www.thomasturner.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA85wgdef70

For the American Masters of the Twentieth Century and contemporary exemplars, the two sources of information I have come to regard highly are Spinoza Rods and Classic Tackle Purveyor.

https://www.spinozarods.com/

https://classictacklepurveyor.com/

Valuing a vintage split cane rod is a somewhat variable process starting with a condition assessment, much  like assessing an old car or a piece of furniture. Generally, there are three types of condition assessment, each dependant on the eventual use of the rod. (Source of the following notes from the book: Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook by Sinclair, to give some context).

Firstly, if the rod is for decoration , generally known as a “wall hanger”, then it needs only to be cosmetically sound. The ferrules need not fit perfectly and some evidence of grime on the handle and wear on the varnish may add to the “right look”. This is the easiest type of restoration to undertake. Value almost zero if for your shack – collector value if a mint or museum quality rod.

Secondly , if the rod is for fishing it must also be structurally sound. The ferrules must fit properly and the finish must be adequate to protect the rod. Bindings must be tight and there cannot be any loose threads. Cosmetic accuracy is optional.

Thirdly there is restoring for collecting. The rod must be restored “as original” to the greatest degree possible with original fittings and bindings , and must be mechanically sound for fishing. The original specifications for the rod are necessary to do such restorations.

Relatively few rods are, in monetary terms, worth a full restoration. Many old rods have short tips, have tips missing or have 'sets', fittings which are not original, have been rebound in bindings which are not original colours, ,etc. The cost and effort of a full restoration may not be warranted - unless the rod is a very rare rod with high collector value or there is sentimental value.

Such rods should be restored by an experienced rod builder. Collectors seek rods that are original and that means containing the same fittings and finishes on the rod that came out of the maker's workshop . As a generalisation, vintage rods in original condition should not be changed, where practical. The patina of the tarnished ferrules, the faded silks and the amber varnish all contribute to a condition that cannot be matched today.

There is a huge difference in value to a collector between an “original condition” rod and a “refinished” rod which may contain some “improvements” on the fittings and finishes which the rod initially had.

However, that said, many people seek to restore rods because of their sentimental value or that the rod is an exmplar. 

If you have a beaten up old rod with no marking, loose rod guides, badly bent or split bamboo, missing or short tips and dry cork handles, then it is likely that its a low quality rod that has been left in the shed…however, one can be mistaken.